Summer holidays: Wizz Air passenger numbers jump more than 50 per cent September 2, 2021 Wizz Air’s passenger numbers surged more than 50 per cent in August to around 3.5m, as travellers flocked to the budget airline for their summer holiday. In the year to August, however, passenger numbers were down 44.6 per cent to some 14.7m, as restrictions across Europe in the 12 months prior severely curbed travel. Shares [...]
China bans reality TV and seeks to make male representation more ‘manly’ September 2, 2021 China has reportedly banned reality talent programmes from airing today, in a wide extension of its crackdown on pop culture that Beijing has dubbed as ‘immoral’. The latest bout of hawkish regulation has included broadcasters being ordered to promote more ‘masculine’ representations of men – amid fears of its declining population. Talent shows featuring young [...]
BMW tables plans to slash emissions from car life cycle by 40 per cent September 2, 2021 BMW has said it plans to slash its carbon emissions from the life cycle of its cars, from their production onwards, by 40 per cent before 2030. The carmaker has upped its previous target of reducing harmful emissions by a third, despite being reluctant to set a concrete deadline for phasing out fossil-fuel reliant vehicles. [...]
Late to the game: YouTube Music secures over 50m paid subscribers September 2, 2021 YouTube has bagged more than 50m paid subscriptions to its music service, after joining late to the paid streaming game. The video platform, owned by Google, has long been criticized by record labels for giving away music for free. The platform has not yet revealed how much revenue its streaming subscriptions have pulled in. Now [...]
Marble Arch Mound to remain free following mound-ing controversy September 1, 2021 London’s Marble Arch Mound is to remain free, following controversy over its £4.50 to £8 entrance fee and its high-profile ‘flop’. What was supposed to be a £3.3m project swelled into a £6m final bill. “It has become clear that costs have risen more than anticipated and that is totally unacceptable,” Council leader Rachael Robathan [...]
Databricks racks up $38bn valuation after catching fresh investor eyes September 1, 2021 Data and artificial intelligence firm Databricks has racked up an eyewatering $38bn valuation after a fresh bout of investors piled into its latest fundraiser. Databricks, which offers data platforms that business heavyweights like Shell, HSBC, T-Mobile, Rolls-Royce, Gousto, and Autotrader rely on, has been channelling its recent efforts into ‘data architecture’ or massive-scale data engineering. [...]
QuickBooks owner Intuit in early talks for $10bn Mailchimp buyout September 1, 2021 Software developer Intuit, the firm behind TurboTax and QuickBooks, has reportedly entered talks with Mailchimp for a $10bn buyout. The deal’s discussions are still in their early stages, Bloomberg first reported, citing people familiar with the matter. There is room for the potential deal to fall through, or alternatively, a rival bidder may emerge for email [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? September 1, 2021 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Pictet Wealth Management poaches Goldman Sachs veteran as new CEO Pictet Wealth Management has appointed a Goldman Sachs veteran as its new CEO, following the departure of its long-standing lead Heinrich Adami. Joining next week, Robert [...]
Next boss calls for UK immigration shakeup amid lorry driver shortage September 1, 2021 Lamenting the national lorry driver shortage, Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson has called on the Home Office to shape up its immigration rules to allow overseas hauliers into the UK. The trickling supply of HGV drivers has led to 94 per cent of hospitality businesses reporting problems with the delivery of products, according to trade [...]
Betting boom: Gambling giant 888 UK revenues surge over 50 per cent September 1, 2021 Online gambling giant 888 has enjoyed an upbeat first half of the year as its total revenue has jumped 39 per cent, hinting that the lockdown betting boom is here to stay. The company pulled in $528.4m in the six months to 30 June, up from $379.1m in the first half of 2020 – carried [...]